Rapid economic development has seen Vietnam’s energy demand grow at a rate of 13-15% per annum over the last decade, leading to chronic and severe power shortages, and plans for extensive hydropower development. The Vu Gia – Thu Bon River Basin in central Vietnam will be one of the first areas to see increased hydropower development with 8 major and at least 34 minor hydro installations planned for completion over the next 10 years. This intense clustering of hydro developments on the Vu Gia – Thu Bon system has the potential for extensive impacts on aquatic fauna and ecosystems and is likely to negatively impact livelihoods through changes to fisheries outputs.